Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DM says she failed me and DB

10 replies

TheVelvetChair · 14/02/2026 19:07

DM is always talking about how much she failed me and my brother. She talks about how well other adult children are doing and how when adult children are “struggling” other people always blame the parents.

I am going through a difficult separation from my husband and difficulties around child arrangements right now, things are very tough however I don’t see it as a reflection on my upbringing and if I heard about one of my friends in their 40s who said they were separating from their husband I wouldn’t blame my friends mother!

She regularly talks about other children who are “thriving”
I see myself as going through a hard time right now but in a lot of other ways I am doing well such as I have a job I enjoy, I have close friends, I am a good mother and I have had a lot of success in a creative pursuit of mine and won first prize in quite a few competitions, not bragging but it feels like she sees me as a big gigantic failure!

My brother is struggling, he has severe mental health difficulties and he does have leaning difficulties too, my mother sees this as her fault too. I do feel guilty like I’ve added to their burden.

so, AIBU in thinking that you do your best, raise your children but they ultimately make their own choices in life, good and bad. Plus a divorce or separation doesn’t necessarily mean that you had a bad upbringing?

OP posts:
Trabbling · 14/02/2026 19:10

Sounds to me more like she's trying to guilt trip you / make you feel bad for not "living up to her expectations"

What's she like generally, and what's your relationship with her like?

TheAutumnCrow · 14/02/2026 19:23

She actually sounds quite manipulative, @TheVelvetChair.

You’re going through enough without her weird attitude on top.

THisbackwithavengeance · 14/02/2026 19:26

Well she’s only repeating what is often written on here. The woman are responsible for not only their own behaviour but also that of their DH’s and DCs including adult DCs.

But I agree with you OP. What does she say when you point out that you’re not a failure?

InBedBy10 · 14/02/2026 19:30

You should point out to her that she has no idea how other people's children are doing. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. I seriously doubt you are the only person she knows going through a separation. Or your brother is the only person in town with mental health problems. Both issues are hardly unique.

Honestly it sounds like she's getting a dig in at you. Next time she says it, agree with her. "Yes mam, you did a terrible job"..

BubbadueJuly2026 · 14/02/2026 19:32

She’s basically saying she must of done something wrong because you’re not living up to her expectations. YANBU

JLou08 · 14/02/2026 19:53

It sounds like you have a much better mindset than your mum and you're doing great. I'd ask her what it is that she thinks she has done wrong. Maybe she made some mistakes she is trying to apologise for. Or maybe she is just a negative person who sees you as an extension of herself and compares you to others. Her answer should inform you of how to react to her comments going forward.

TheVelvetChair · 14/02/2026 20:02

JLou08 · 14/02/2026 19:53

It sounds like you have a much better mindset than your mum and you're doing great. I'd ask her what it is that she thinks she has done wrong. Maybe she made some mistakes she is trying to apologise for. Or maybe she is just a negative person who sees you as an extension of herself and compares you to others. Her answer should inform you of how to react to her comments going forward.

Edited

I love my mum and I’m close to her but she can be quite a negative person and will find the negative in almost anything, she can also catastrophise situations and get worked up.

Shes very old fashioned and anti divorce so couples should stay together no matter what, she’s also heavily concerned with how other people view her, what will the neighbours think etc!

OP posts:
newornotnew · 14/02/2026 20:07

AIBU in thinking that you do your best, raise your children but they ultimately make their own choices in life, good and bad. YABU, this is excessively simplistic - some parents don't do their best, and it is well known that upbringing has big impacts on people long term.

bigboykitty · 14/02/2026 20:15

It sounds like your mum does this to centre herself in your problems and make it all about her. It's a very narcissistic trait and it means she doesn't really ever offer you any genuine support - she just imposes herself in the middle and focuses on what it means for her. It sounds very wearing.

cloudtreecarpet · 15/02/2026 08:42

She sounds like she probably has low self esteem herself so is looking for her own value in her children's lives rather than her own.

Maybe talk to her about how your ability to cope with difficult times & be resilient actually shows how well she did her job as a mum?
Life is always going to throw curve balls in the way at some point but being able to deal with them is also part of being a "successful adult".

New posts on this thread. Refresh page